Iranian Foreign Minister to visit China before third round of US nuclear talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi will visit China before the third round of U.S. nuclear talks, focusing on consultations.

As preparations for the third round of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Muscat are underway, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit China on Tuesday, April 22. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Ismail Baqaei, Araghchi’s visit aims to continue regular consultations between Tehran and its allies, including Beijing and Moscow, regarding the nuclear dossier.

In response to inquiries about the visit, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Beijing and Tehran maintain active communication and cooperation at all levels and across various sectors. This visit follows a trilateral meeting between Iran, Russia, and China on April 6 in Moscow, which was held behind closed doors without media coverage.

The closed-door session in Moscow focused on Iran’s nuclear program, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Araghchi has indicated that Tehran is ready to expand the scope of discussions in the upcoming tripartite talks, calling the cooperation between Iran, Russia, and China “essential in the current global situation.”

According to a report from Al Arabiya on April 20, Iran has been intensifying its contacts with Russia and China to garner further support in the ongoing negotiations with the U.S. The second round of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, mediated by Oman, was held in Rome on April 19.

Araghchi’s visit comes amid growing tensions between China and the U.S., following the announcement of new tariffs by the Trump administration. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, called for political sincerity and mutual respect from the U.S. regarding Iran’s nuclear file, although China’s activity on the issue has been limited in recent weeks.

In addition to the ongoing negotiations, Iran’s spokesperson also addressed Saudi Arabia’s defense minister’s visit to Iran, emphasizing that the visit was pre-scheduled and coincidental to the talks in Rome. Baqaei reiterated that the primary issue for Iran in any negotiation is the lifting of “illegal and unjust” sanctions, which should be “tangible and effective” to allow Iran to resume normal economic and banking activities.

The U.S. special envoy for Middle East affairs, Steven Witkoff, had previously stressed that Iran must either destroy all of its enriched uranium or transfer it to a third country, a demand Iran strongly opposes. Tehran has proposed a three-stage plan to reduce nuclear tensions in exchange for sanctions relief and access to its frozen assets.

As negotiations continue, the fate of Iran’s 17,000 centrifuges, which are critical to the country’s enrichment capabilities, remains unresolved. These machines have the potential to enrich uranium to 90%, a level suitable for nuclear weapons. Iran’s spokesperson stated that Tehran is ready to address any concerns about its peaceful nuclear activities through voluntary transparency measures.

The ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. are critical not only to the region but also to international security. While progress has been made, key issues, including Iran’s enrichment capacity and the lifting of sanctions, remain points of contention. The involvement of China and Russia in these discussions highlights the complexity of the geopolitical dynamics surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

The outcome of these talks could reshape the future of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its relationship with the global community, making the next round of negotiations pivotal in determining the path forward.

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